Tribeca falls for ‘Romantics’

Romancer has taken $9 million at Gallic B.O.

Tribeca Film has acquired U.S. distrib rights to French romancer “Romantics Anonymous” and plans to release the film in the coming months.

“Romantics,” a B.O. success in “France, held its international premiere at the Tribeca fest. Deal was concluded at the Cannes Film Festival and announced Wednesday.

Jean-Pierre Ameris directed and co-wrote the film with Philippe Blasband. The producers are Nathalie Gastaldo and Philippe Godeau. StudioCanal released the film in France, where it has taken in more than $9 million at the box office, and also has handled international sales.

Film tells the story of an unemployed but gifted chocolate-maker (Isabelle Carre) with a lifelong case of uncontrollable shyness that prevents her from sharing her confectionary talents. She’s hired by the owner (Jean-Rene Van Den Hugde) of chocolate firm, who suffers from a similar case of terminal abashment and whose company is in desperate need of a new direction.

“We’re enormously pleased to have reached a deal in Cannes for this film, which has great comic moments, wonderful characters and extraordinary performances,” said Geoffrey Gilmore, chief creative officer of Tribeca Enterprises. “‘Romantics Anonymous’ is universal in its appeal and its treatment of love and romance. We look forward to bringing it to a wider audience in the U.S.”

Deal was negotiated by Nick Savva, director of acquisitions for Tribeca Film, with Anna Marsh negotiating for StudioCanal.